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Sociolinguistics from the Periphery "presents a fascinating book about change: shifting political, economic and cultural conditions; ephemeral, sometimes even seasonal, multilingualism; and altered imaginaries for minority and indigenous languages and their users."

This book addresses the need for tests that can diagnose the strengths andweaknesses in learners' developing foreign language proficiency. Itpresents the rationale for, and research surrounding, the development ofDIALANG, a suite of internet-delivered diagnostic foreign language testsfunded by the European Commission. The word 'diagnosis' is common indiscussions in language education and applied linguistics, but very fewtruly diagnostic tests exist. However, the diagnosis of foreign languageproficiency is central to helping learners make progress.

This volume explores the nature of diagnostic testing, emphasizing the needfor a better understanding of the nature of appropriate diagnosis. The bookstarts with a debate about how diagnostic testing might most appropriatelybe developed. Charles Alderson argues that the field has neglected toconstruct diagnostic tests, partly because other forms of testing havedominated the field. Alderson examines how proficiency has been diagnosedin the key areas of language: reading, listening, writing, grammar andvocabulary. The value of self-assessment is discussed and exemplified as akey component in developing learners', and teachers', awareness of thecomplexity of language learning. The book ends with a consideration of andrecommendations for future developments in the diagnosis of foreignlanguage proficiency.